Abstract: A process and apparatus for electrolyte solution production can be provided so that a modular production can be provided. The modular electrolyte production can be provided so that the production system is mobile for being used in multiple different plants at different geographical locations that are remote from each other. Embodiments can be configured so that electrolyte production is made for a plant specific application that provides an electrolyte solution having a pre-selected concentration of at least one electrolyte for use in at least one electrolyzer of the plant. The production can be mobile so it can be provided at different sites to make the same type of solutions or different solutions specific to the needs of the plants it may support. Some embodiments can utilize an electrolyte material handling device that also modular and mobile. Other embodiments can be configured to utilize an on-site electrolyte material handling device.

Abstract: A process is set forth for producing DME by dehydrating the effluent stream from a methanol reactor where the methanol reactor is a slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR) containing a methanol synthesis catalyst that converts a synthesis gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide into an effluent stream comprising methanol. A key to the process is that the SBCR methanol can produce a relatively low water content methanol stream, thereby avoiding an intervening water removal unit between the SBCR methanol unit and the dehydration unit and/or an incremental increase in the water that must be processed by the dehydration unit.

Abstract: An improvement to the process for separating dimethyl ether (DME) from byproducts in a one-step catalytic conversion of synthesis gas (syngas), the improvement comprising using a scrubbing solvent comprising a mixture of dimethyl ether and methanol for the separation of dimethyl ether and carbon dioxide from the unconverted synthesis gas in a scrubbing column. Additional improvements include recycling of the scrubbing solution, multi-step processing of the liquid effluent from the scrubber, and methods of processing the methanol-water effluent of the flash column that is interposed between the DME reactor and the scrubber.

Abstract: A method to operate a flash calcination unit with both atmosphere and temperature control is described for mineral processing requirements and other atmosphere controlled processes. The method can be used to process phosphate, gold ore or activated carbon. The critical steps of the method involve an initial mixing of fine material combined with stoichiometric burning using at least one staged combustion furnace in a vertically oriented suspension calcination furnace. This effects control of oxygen or atmosphere in the combustion furnace with attendant control of temperature in that furnace.